Brominated flame retardants in indoor environments with a focus on kitchens

Kuang, Jiangmeng (2017). Brominated flame retardants in indoor environments with a focus on kitchens. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Paired kitchen-living room dust samples from 30 UK houses were collected for the analysis of BFRs, including PBDEs, HBCDDs and PBEB, EH-TBB, BTBPE, BEH-TEBP, DBDPE. Ninety-six plastic kitchen utensils were collected, screened for Br concentration by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, with 30 of these samples analysed for BFR concentrations. A simulated cooking experiment was conducted to evaluate BFR exposure. Temporal and geographical differences in concentrations of BFRs in indoor dust samples were investigated via comparing BFR concentrations in UK samples in 2006-07 and 2015 and comparing 116 indoor house dust samples collected between 2014-15 from 6 countries (Finland, Greece, Spain, Jordan, US and Mexico) respectively. Concentrations of BDE-209 in living room dust were significantly lower and those of DBDPE significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to concentrations in 2006-07 in UK dust. All target BFRs were present at higher concentrations in living rooms than kitchens. Considerable BFR transfer from kitchen utensils to cooking oils was observed and estimated exposure via cooking was 60 ng/day. US dust showed the highest Penta-BDE concentrations, followed by Mexico. Jordanian dust samples contained the highest concentrations of Octa-BDE. US and Mexican samples were found to display a similar composition to that found in the FireMaster® 550 formulation (EH-TBB:BEH-TEBP=4:1).

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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